Archive · 24 May 2025
Navy Inducts Stitched Ship INSV Kaundinya Inspired by Ajanta Mural
The Indian Navy now has a new ship called INSV Kaundinya!
It's special because it's made like ships from a very long time ago.
The ship's design is based on a painting from an ancient cave in India called Ajanta, that shows a merchant ship from the past.
The ship is named after a famous sailor and it's a symbol of India's history with the sea.
It will sail an old route across the ocean.
The painting from the cave tells a story about a merchant, and this ship is like a way to bring those stories to life.
The ship is meant to honor India's history and show off the old ways of building and sailing ships.
The Indian Navy inducted INSV Kaundinya, a stitched sail ship modeled after a 5th-century CE Ajanta mural.
The ship is named after mariner Kaundinya and symbolizes India's maritime traditions.
The vessel will embark on a transoceanic voyage, retracing an ancient route from Gujarat to Oman.
The design is inspired by a painting from Cave 2 at Ajanta Caves depicting a merchant ship.
The mural illustrates the Purna Avadana, a Buddhist narrative about maritime trade.
- Who
- The Indian Navy and the ship is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya.
- What
- The Indian Navy inducted INSV Kaundinya, a stitched sail ship inspired by an Ajanta mural.
- When
- The induction ceremony took place on May 21.
- Where
- Based in Karwar, with plans for a voyage from Gujarat to Oman.
- Why
- To revive maritime heritage and honor India's traditions.
- Ship Name
- INSV Kaundinya
- Inspiration
- 5th-century CE Ajanta mural
- Based in
- Karwar
- Voyage Route
- Gujarat to Oman (ancient route)
- Mural Location
- Cave 2, Ajanta Caves